This tactic was commonly known as the “Hack-a-Shaq” during Shaquille O’Neal’s iconic career, given he was a poor foul shooter and opponents felt their best chance late in games was to send him to the line with the likelihood he would miss one or both shots. This would increase the chances of an opponent winning the ball back, rather than allowing O’Neal team’s to run its offence and potentially score two or three key points with the contest in the balance.
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Simmons’ foul-line woes helped the Wizards eke out a lead. He was later fouled by former MVP Russell Westbrook while attempting a dunk, and again made one of two from the foul line.
The former No.1 draft pick from Box Hill High School in Melbourne’s east, who continues to eschew long-range jump shots, finished with 13 points, three assists and 12 rebounds.
The 76ers struggled to score in the key, but will at least have home court advantage on Thursday (AEST).
Simmons was instrumental in the 76ers clinching top spot in the eastern conference, prompting Australian great Andrew Gaze to declare he was ready to will his franchise to an elusive championship.
Game four featured yet another incident of spectator misbehaviour, this time a courtside invader halting play late in the third quarter. The invader was tackled by security staff under the Sixers’ basket and escorted out.
This added to a list of issues through this series, and elsewhere through the playoffs.
Westbrook had popcorn dumped on him after he left the court in game two because of injury, and had to be held back by security from going back on court and approaching the fan.
The New York Knicks banned a fan for spitting on Atlanta’s Trey Burke at Madison Square Garden, while a Boston Celtics fan who allegedly threw a water bottle at Melbourne-born Nets superstar and former Celtic Kyrie Irving as the guard left the court at TD Garden in Boston on Sunday was arrested.
Source: | This article originally belongs to smh.com.au
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